Island in the Sea by Anita Hughes Read Free Book Online

opportunity to teach Spanish in San Francisco,” Lydia said.. She ladled spinach onto ceramic plates. “I went to the library in Palma and checked out Hemingway and Fitzgerald. I read them so many times the pages disintegrated and I couldn’t return them.”
    â€œThat must have been exciting.” Juliet smiled, eating a wedge of Gouda.
    â€œIt didn’t work out, but I still love American books.” Lydia’s eyes clouded over. “When I sold the farm I bought a ticket to Paris. People thought it was so I could buy a pretty dress or see the Arc de Triomphe, but it was to visit Shakespeare and Company. I came home with a suitcase full of Hawthorne and Steinbeck.”
    â€œI love California; I work for a record label in Los Angeles.” Juliet dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “I heard Gabriella singing; she has one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard.”
    Lydia nodded. “She sang at Sunday school and the priest said he was visited by an angel. I told her she’ll have to sing at her own wedding.”
    â€œAre you getting married?” Juliet turned to Gabriella.
    â€œHugo works in his uncle’s hotel in Palma.” Gabriella flushed. “We’ve been together for four years but he wants to wait until he can afford a proper diamond.”
    â€œHe has curly dark hair and blue eyes and they’re going to make beautiful babies.” Lydia’s eyes sparkled. “But I told them they need to have them while I’m still young enough to win three-legged races on Easter.”
    *   *   *
    Lydia went upstairs to get a photo album and Gabriella carried plates into the kitchen. Juliet offered to help, but Gabriella insisted she finish her wine. Juliet ran her fingers over her glass and suddenly stood up and walked inside.
    She was about to enter the kitchen when she heard Gabriella’s clear voice. She held her breath and listened to the song float through the hallway. Her voice seemed even higher than before, the notes reaching the ceiling. Juliet closed her eyes and felt a shiver run down her spine.
    â€œYou can help me carry the fruit salad,” Gabriella said, seeing Juliet standing at the door. “The peaches are from Lydia’s fruit trees and they’re delicious with ice cream.”
    *   *   *
    Juliet sat at the table and watched Lydia fill silver bowls with apricots. She wanted to say Gabriella had to let Gideon hear her sing. She wanted to promise her a recording contract and a world tour and beautiful clothes and jewelry. But she listened to Gabriella talk about the new menu at Casa Isabella and Hugo’s plans for his uncle’s hotel and knew she couldn’t open her mouth. Gabriella was like a child who woke up every day to Christmas morning.
    â€œI must go.” Lydia stood up. “Father Garcia doesn’t like it if one is late for church, even if I bring him a fruit tart.”
    â€œThank you for having me,” Juliet said, as she held out her hand. “Everything was delicious.”
    Lydia kissed her on the cheek. “You must come back for dinner. I’ll open a bottle of rosé and we will sit in the square and watch the dancing. The butcher thinks he is Frank Sinatra and the greengrocer believes he is Fred Astaire.”
    *   *   *
    They hiked down the mountain to Sóller and Juliet watched the sun dip below the horizon. The clouds turned pink and orange and lights twinkled on the harbor. She felt the breeze in her hair and wrapped her arms around her chest.
    â€œYour grandmother has more energy than some of my recording artists,” she said as they approached the tram stop.
    Gabriella nodded. “She is proud of being able to do everything herself. She can change a tire and milk a goat.”
    â€œHow long ago did her husband die?” Juliet asked.
    Gabriella hopped onto the tram and shook her head. “She was never